Field Gear

“Too long between Octobers” I wrote in my book

“Too long between the smell of mink oil on old leather. Between empty shotshells rattling next to live ones in the jacket pocket. Between whistles and dog bells and wet setters... ” Of course I could have been thinking about pheasants or woodcock or quail or partridge. “It’s About Time!” says the sign over the local clock-repair shop, and I couldn’t agree more. Now that bird hunting season is finally at hand, let’s go. Here are five new products to enhance your experience this fall.

Bird Hunting Vest from WingWorks

Mating the best of backpack design with the functional needs of the bird hunter who tramps long distances, technical bird hunting vests keep appearing in the market. If you’ve ever hunted chukar in the dry high desert or are a professional dog trainer, you know you should carry water for yourself and the recruits. You also may need to store extra clothing, basic first-aid materials and different loads for various gamebirds you might encount-er. Obviously these are “weighty” considerations, as every extra pound counts when you’re hoofing it for miles. A high-tech vest allows you to pack the needed stuff while comfortably and sensibly distributing the added weight.

Remember that sport jacket that feels “just right” each time you wear it? A WingWorks bird hunting vest is like that, because you can fine-tune the fit, thanks to adjustable harness straps, a sternum strap and a wide, webbed belt. The company, which brought out its first product in 2005, offers many tips and suggestions on its Website to help bird hunters get the proper fit and to customize the vest for individual needs and preferences.

Retooled for 2008, the vests are available in hunter orange as well as a new XXL size in both the original khaki and orange. The deeper game bag comes with a bloodproof barrier, two zippered accessory pockets on each side (perfect for a cell phone or GPS), and a pouch inside the game bag for a third water bottle. Including the one-quart bottles to each side, water capacity is now more than three quarts. The redesign includes deep side pockets with generous Velcro flaps to protect shells and other contents from spilling. The new profile makes for an “open-pocket” shape that allows quick access. I like that feature along with the vest’s versatility. The lower back zips open for more storage, and the upper back has a strap for tying down a windbreaker. The round water-bottle pockets on each side can be removed. Cool.

Empty, the heavy-duty Cordura vest weighs 3 pounds 10 ounces in Large size. Price: $135 (including two bottles and free shipping in the continental US).

WingWorks, 208-788-0729; www.wingworks.biz.

LaCrosse Jacket from Justin Charles

Justin Charles's LaCrosse Jacket.

Justin Charles is hardly a household name. Recognition of the Wisconsin-based company has quietly grown among passionate outdoor adventurers who demand uncompromising quality in split-bamboo fly rods, sleeping bags and handcrafted kayaks, including a cedar-strip model that costs $16,000. At SCI’s Hunters’ Convention this past January, the company introduced an impressive line of clothing being called its “premium rugged casual collection.”

According to the company’s marketing director, Joe Campisi, “The apparel and outerwear are built to expedition standards to endure anything that nature puts in their path, yet the look is premium throughout and suitable as casual wear.”

The company sent me several jackets, a wool sweater and vest, and a high-tech rain pant and coat to test. All the garments, which are made in Canada, are exceptional, although the outerwear has limited application for wingshooters. As claimed, the high-tech Black River Jacket and Pant, for example, shut out wind and rain but are too noisy for the walking uplander, and the material doesn’t lend itself to sure-grip gun mounting. On the other hand, it was designed for three-season anglers, not bird hunters or waterfowlers.

I long have appreciated wool clothing for its warmth, freedom of movement and natural water repellency. The Justin Charles offerings, which include a Merino wool layering system, are among the best I’ve seen. You can wear The V (V-neck sweater) next to your skin and be completely comfortable. The organic Merino wool comes from a ranch in Australia that produces extremely soft yet highly durable fibers. Campisi said, “We couldn’t find a mill anywhere in the world that had worked with the density of fabric we wanted—an extraordinary 385 grams per square meter—so we had our mill develop it just for this sweater.” Color: black. Cost: $275.

Several garments in the LaCrosse line feature Merino wool. The windproof LaCrosse Jacket ($400) laminates the wool to a fleece liner. Shoulders are reinforced with a soft shell fabric, and the collar is fleece lined for comfort and warmth. Zippered pockets include left- and right-side handwarmers, a small left-breast slash, and a right-breast inside security. Leather finger tabs on each zipper are appreciated touches. Cut generously, the jacket fits snugly just below the belt. The LaCrosse Zip Sweater ($375) sports a neck zipper, has a longer back for more coverage, and comes with a secure cell-phone pocket on the upper left sleeve. Vest wearers will love the LaCrosse Vest ($300). The color of each is called Rifle/Cinder. To my eye, the luxurious wool appears to be a deep green-black, with gunmetal gray on the shoulders and cuffs and solid-black collar trim. Note to designer: Add some non-slip fabric to the shooting shoulder of any LaCrosse apparel, and it will be much more attractive to gunners.

Justin Charles, 866-499-9995; www.justincharles.com.

Gentle Trainer from Unleashed Technologies

Unleashed Technologies' GT-3 Wire-less Leash Remote Trraining System.

Several companies now make greatly improved e-collars to help bird dog owners correct nuisance behaviors. Most new products provide various levels of electric stimulation, which you can “dial-up” or “dial-down.” A company called Unleashed Technologies has turned around the long-held thinking that a dog must be punished for misdeeds, such as refusing to heel, ranging too far or breaking points. The idea behind its patent-pending Animal Behavior Acquisition system is to make training a fun game. Three new Gentle Trainer (GT) models look like e-collars but do not “shock” dogs. Instead, each offers electrical vibration followed by electrical-impulse stimulation.

Whoa! There’s a difference between shock and impulse stimulation? Yes, and to understand it better, think of human medicine. Today’s chiropractor might use transcutaneous electrical neural stimulus —or TENS technology—to help ease back pain in a patient. It can be felt, but it doesn’t hurt. The vibration from the Gentle Trainer, which I tested on my own body, amounts to a quiet muscle sensation, which doesn’t spook my dog and is a humane way to communicate what I want.

But how can an electric stimuli be fun? “The key is to cue the dog with vibration when he’s doing what you want him to do,” said Chad James, UT’s director of development. “For example, if you’re walking a dog at heel on a leash, push the button at low level the first time he does it right. When he looks at you, release the button. Soon you’ll be able to ‘cue’ the dog by giving the command [“Heel”] at the same time you push the button. After a while, the voice command is all you’ll need.”

During 40 years of training dogs, James has used many brands of e-collars. After four years of experimenting with various microprocessors, he now has developed the products that support his training methodology. Each of 15 levels of vibration is followed by a corresponding level of impulse stimulation. (That’s a total of 30 settings.) Hit and release the button for a momentary alert; hold down the button for up to 12 seconds of continuous stimulation (after which time it automatically shuts off).

UT’s Wireless Leash remote training system is available in three models. The GT-1 has a single button. The GT-2 adds a second button (below the first) that provides another 15 levels of vibration and 15 levels of stimulation. The GT-3 has a third button (on the bottom) to provide yet another 15 vibration levels and 15 stimulation levels. (The GT-3 is designed for tough-to-train dogs that are best corrected by experienced owners and professional trainers.)

The GT package comes with a transmitter (weight: 6 oz), receiver with adjustable collar (7 oz), carrying bag, charger, lanyard, splitter (for charging both at the same time) and training and operating guides. Prices are $249.99 for the GT-1, $279.99 for the GT-2, and $299.95 for the GT-3. You can add a transmitter for two-dog training for $149.99.

Unleashed Technology, 866-795-7387; www.unleashedtechnology.com.

Wexford Boots from Dubarry of Ireland

Dubarry of Ireland's Wexford Boot.

Based in County Galway, Dubarry of Ireland has made marine footwear for more than 70 years. Expanded offerings now include an outdoor footwear collection of high-quality leather boots and shoes. I decided to test the knee-high Wexford boot, which is made for shooting, hunting, riding or simply tramping outdoors. The comfortable pair I wore weighed just 4 pounds 2 ounces—not bad for a 16"-high boot. As suggested by Dubarry, I ordered a full size smaller than normal (I take a 10 and ordered a UK 9). Worn with a simple cotton sock, the Wexford is nicely snug and easily slips on and off, thanks to a three-quarter-length zipper and concealed gusset that closes with a snap. The boot features an insulated Gore-Tex liner and is a good choice for walking up birds or cool fall mornings on stand.

Handcrafted in Portugal, the Wexford relies on water-resistant, breathable leathers for comfort and durability. The Gore-Tex liner keeps feet dry. Dubarry claims that even with repeated exposure to wet weather, the boots dry quickly and maintain their shape over time. The unusual rubber outsole is fairly aggressive, with both indented and protruding treads to provide a good grip even in mud. A lightweight midsole of polyurethane affords both comfort and shock absorbency. The result: a smart-looking, highly functional boot.

I ordered the new understated color of walnut and mahogany. The Wexford ($529) is also available in brown and mahogany, black and mahogany, or moss and mahogany. The company offers a full line of ladies’ footwear as well as accessories that include fur boot liners, a boot jack, foot beds, boot trees and a footwear care set. Dubarry’s other leather products include gun slips, cartridge bags and luggage carriers.

Dubarry of Ireland, www.dubarry.com.

HitchSafe Spare Key Holder

HitchSafe's Spare Key Holder.

I’m sure you’ve done it: returned to your truck from a bird hunt and realized you’ve locked your keys in the vehicle. When that happened to me in Michigan’s remote Upper Peninsula, I had to bum a ride into town. Luckily there was a brand dealership, the business was open, and it had a good supply of ignition-key blanks, was able to call my personal dealer to get the key code, and made me a replacement key. Whew! The ride back to my stranded truck was 24 miles. I lost a half-day of hunting.

Who needs such grief? After that incident I added a spare key to my whistle lanyard (I don’t trust those magnetic key holders you hide somewhere under your vehicle). Now there’s a better way. Remember that gaping square in your trailer hitch when you remove the ball and stem? Turn it into a “safety deposit box” with a clever product called HitchSafe. The device is a small drawer that slides into the trailer-hitch receiver most of us already have on our cars, trucks and SUVs. The little drawer will hold several keys, a driver’s license, credit cards, cash or other small valuables. Sliding bars on the inside rely on patented hitch pins for security—you must remove the combination-locked drawer to gain access.

This is not a piece of junk. The HitchSafe weighs about 1-1/2 pounds and is made of solid metal. By twirling the four-digit combination lock with your thumb, you can set up to 10,000 combinations. It’s easy to do and takes all of 15 seconds. A plastic dust cover fits over the dials to protect them from dirt, salt or road grime. Obviously, the only time you can’t use HitchSafe is when you’re pulling a trailer. Price: $69.95.

HitchSafe, 800-654-1786; www.hitch safe.com.